Waveform compensation systems and methods for secondary weld component response

ABSTRACT

A method includes receiving data corresponding to a voltage level over time and a current level over time. The method also includes determining a first ratio corresponding to a voltage ramp percent or a voltage falling edge percent with respect to a peak in the voltage level and determining a second ratio corresponding to a current ramp ratio or a current falling edge ratio with respect to a peak in the current level. The method further includes determining, based on a comparison between the first ratio and the second ratio, whether to increment, decrement, or maintain an inductance compensation estimation value corresponding to an estimated inductance present in one or more secondary components associated with the welding operation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional Application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/756,048, entitled “Waveform Compensation Systems and Methodsfor Secondary Weld Component Response”, filed Jan. 31, 2013, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates generally to welding systems, and, moreparticularly, to systems and methods for compensation of an error in asecondary component of a welding system.

Welding is a process that has become ubiquitous in various industriesand applications, such as construction, ship building, and so forth.Welding systems typically include a variety of secondary components,which may include secondary cabling as well as secondary equipment. Suchsecondary components may include welding torches, weld fixturing, weldcables, and so forth, and certain parameters of these secondarycomponents may impact the quality of the weld obtained in a weldingoperation. For example, weld cables generally have associated resistanceand inductance values. Due to the high current levels associated withtypical welding processes, these inductance and resistance values oftenlead to voltage errors. In many instances, these voltage errors may leadto a decrease in the quality of the weld because voltage is used tocontrol parameters of the welding arc.

Some previous systems have attempted to address the foregoing problem toreduce or eliminate the likelihood of experiencing the aforementioneddecrease in weld quality due to the features of the secondary cabling.For example, some systems may utilize a non-current carrying voltagesensing lead that extends from the weld power supply to the end of theweld cables. Such voltage sensing leads may be utilized to sense thevoltage at the weld without being affected by the voltage errorgenerated by the weld cables. However, many weld environments arealready cluttered with a variety of cables and other structures, and theaddition of an extra cable may be undesirable. Accordingly, there existsa need for improved systems and methods for the compensation of errorsintroduced into the weld operation by secondary components, such as weldcabling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, a method includes receiving first data correspondingto a first weld waveform generated during a welding operation, whereinthe first weld waveform corresponds to a stud voltage level over time.The method also includes receiving second data corresponding to a secondweld waveform generated during the welding operation, wherein the secondweld waveform corresponds to a current level over time. The methodfurther includes determining, based on the first data, a first percentcorresponding to a stud voltage ramp percent or a stud voltage fallingedge percent with respect to a peak in the first weld waveform anddetermining, based on the second data, a second percent corresponding toa current ramp percentage or a current falling edge percent with respectto a peak in the second weld waveform. The method also includesdetermining, based on a comparison between the first percent and thesecond percent, a stud voltage for the welding operation thatcompensates for an inductance level present in one or more secondarycomponents associated with the welding operation.

In another embodiment, a method includes receiving first datacorresponding to a first weld waveform generated during a weldingoperation, wherein the first weld waveform corresponds to a stud voltagelevel over time, and receiving second data corresponding to a secondweld waveform generated during the welding operation, wherein the secondweld waveform corresponds to a current level over time. The method alsoincludes determining, based on the first data, a first percentcorresponding to a stud voltage ramp percent or a stud voltage fallingedge percent with respect to a peak in the first weld waveform anddetermining, based on the second data, a second percent corresponding toa current ramp percentage or a current falling edge percent with respectto a peak in the second weld waveform. The method further includesdetermining, based on a comparison between the first percent and thesecond percent, whether to increment, decrement, or maintain aninductance compensation estimation value corresponding to an estimatedinductance present in one or more secondary components associated withthe welding operation.

In another embodiment, a welding system includes a welding power supplythat supplies power for a welding operation, a welding torch coupled tothe welding power supply via a torch cable, a fixture that secures aworkpiece in a welding location, and a ground cable coupled to thewelding power supply and at least one of the fixture and the workpiece.The welding system also includes control circuitry that in operationmonitors a measured stud voltage; periodically determines, throughoutthe welding operation, whether to increment, decrement, or maintain aninductance compensation estimation value corresponding to an estimatedinductance present in one or more secondary components associated withthe welding operation; and utilizes the inductance compensationestimation value to periodically determine, throughout the weldingoperation, a compensated stud voltage.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood when the following detaileddescription is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in whichlike characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating a welding system in accordance withembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components of thewelding power source of FIG. 1 in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustrating an ideal current waveform and anideal stud voltage waveform in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustrating a normalized stud voltage waveformsuperimposed on a normalized stud current waveform in accordance with anembodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustrating a stud current waveform and a studvoltage waveform affected by weld cable inductance in accordance with anembodiment; and

FIGS. 6A and 6B are a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a methodthat may be utilized by a weld controller to compensate for a secondarycomponent error introduced by secondary weld components by considering aramp portion of a weld waveform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As described in detail below, embodiments are provided of systems andmethods that may be utilized to compensate a weld voltage utilized forcontrol of a welding operation for an error associated with a secondaryweld component, such as weld cabling. For example, such systems andmethods may enable identification of a secondary weld error in the formof an inductance or resistance error due to weld cabling. That is, incertain instances, although the weld cabling may present relativelysmall inductances and resistances, the voltage errors introduced intothe weld system may be significant because of the amount of currenttypically used in a welding operation. In some instances, the voltageerrors may be further increased as the length (e.g., approximately 100feet or more) of the weld cabling increases.

Accordingly, in some embodiments disclosed herein, weld controlcircuitry may be provided such that acquired information regarding thewelding operation may be utilized to compensate for a voltage errorintroduced into the system by one or more secondary components. Forexample, in some embodiments, the controller may utilize informationregarding the weld cabling to determine an appropriate voltage errorcompensation routine for the given welding setup. For further example,in certain embodiments, a control loop may be utilized to periodicallyadjust the weld voltage used to control the weld operation based on aminimization of the voltage error. These and additional features of theprovided weld controllers and methods are described in more detailbelow.

The compensation systems and methods disclosed herein may provide avariety of distinct advantages when compared to traditional techniques.For example, the provided embodiments enable a welding arc to becompensated for a secondary response, such as the inductance andresistance of the weld cables, without the need for voltage sensingleads. That is, whereas some prior systems utilized non-current carryingleads to sense voltage at the weld location in such a way that bypassesthe voltage error generated in the weld cables, presently disclosedembodiments may enable a reduction or elimination of this additionalcabling. Still further, by comparing one or more weld waveforms to oneor more desired weld waveforms, certain embodiments of the controllersdisclosed herein may be capable of controlling the welder in an adaptivemanner such that the generated weld command takes into account both thecapability of the given welder as well as the secondary responseassociated, for example, with the weld cables.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a welding system 10including a welding power source 12, a wire feeder 14, a welding torch16, and a workpiece 18 positioned on fixturing 20 with rotary ground 22.In the illustrated embodiment, a positive weld lead 24 couples apositive terminal 26 of the welding power source 12 to the wire feeder14. Further, a cable 30 couples the wire feeder to the welding torch 16.Additionally, a negative weld lead 32 couples a negative terminal 34 ofthe welding power source 12 to the rotary ground 22.

During operation, the welding power source 12 provides power to thewelding torch 16 through the wire feeder 14, which provides wire for thewelding operation. Further, during use, a welding operator utilizes thewelding torch 16 to weld the workpiece 18. While welding, high currentlevels associated with the welding process may degrade the secondarycabling and/or equipment, and after many welding cycles, degradation ofthe secondary cabling and/or equipment may impact the quality of theweld. As such, certain embodiments of the present invention provide forcompensation for voltage errors that may result from inductance and/orresistance errors introduced by weld secondary components, such as theweld cabling. Such voltage errors may be utilized by a weld controllerto generate a weld command that compensates for the secondary responsein a given welding system.

FIG. 2 illustrates example components of the welding power source 12 ofFIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the welding power source 12includes a user interface 46, a controller 48, a processor 50, memory52, interface circuitry 54, and power conversion circuitry 56. Duringuse, the power conversion circuitry 56 receives primary power from aprimary source, such as a wall outlet, a power grid, and so forth, andconverts such power to an appropriate welding output for transfer to thewelding torch 16. The processor 50 is configured to receive a variety ofinputs regarding wire feeder operation, user choices, voltage feedback,current feedback, power feedback, resistance feedback, inductancefeedback, and so forth, to process such inputs, and to generate avariety of suitable outputs that guide operation of the welding powersource 12. For example, the interface circuitry 54 may receive feedbackfrom one or more external devices (e.g., wire feeder 14, auxiliarydevices, etc.), communicate such feedback to the processor 50, receivean output signal from the processor 50, and communicate such a signal tothe one or more external devices.

Still further, the processor 50 may receive user inputs from the userinterface 46 regarding the welding operation. For example, the processor50 may receive commands regarding the chosen welding process, parametersof the welding process (e.g., current level, voltage level, etc.), andso forth, and process such inputs. The processor 50 may also receive oneor more inputs from the controller 48, which may be configured toexecute one or more algorithms utilized to guide the welding processand/or any other functions of the welding power source 12. For example,in one embodiment, the controller 48 may execute a series of commands todetermine the magnitude of the voltage error introduced by the secondaryweld cabling and/or equipment. Acquired measurement data may then becommunicated to the processor via interface circuitry 54, which mayprocess the received information to determine, for example, anappropriate weld command that takes into account the determined voltageerror introduced by the secondary weld components.

In certain embodiments, if desired, such information may be communicatedto the user, for example, via user interface 46. To that end, userinterface 46 may be capable of communicating with the user via visualcues (e.g., light illumination, display panel message, etc.), audio cues(e.g., error message recites error), or any other suitable communicationmechanism. In one embodiment, the user interface 46 may be utilized tonotify a user when the voltage error introduced, for example, by weldcable inductance, calls for a compensation routine that exceeds theability of the power source 12. For example, in instances in which thepower source 12 would have to increase the voltage output beyond theupper limit of the driving voltage capability of the power source inorder to compensate for the inductance introduced by the weld cables,the user interface 46 may communicate the presence of an error to theuser. For further example, the user interface 46 may also be utilized tocommunicate to the user that it would be advantageous to reroute orrealign the weld cables within the welding system.

A variety of algorithms and control schemes, not limited to thosedescribed in detail below, may be implemented by the controller 48 ofFIG. 2 to compensate for the voltage errors introduced by the secondaryweld components, such as the weld cabling. For example, the controllermay consider the voltage error introduced into the weld waveform whileramping up to or falling down from a local peak in a weld waveform.Indeed, in certain embodiments, the controller may consider both theramping up portion and the falling edge portion of the weld waveform, ormay consider only one desired portion of the waveform.

As described in more detail below with respect to the presentlydisclosed methods, in some embodiments, the compensation methodimplemented by the controller 48 includes analyzing one or more weldwaveforms during a ramping portion of the waveforms during which weldparameters are ramping up to peak values and comparing ramp percentagescalculated for each of the waveforms. For example, in one embodiment, astud voltage ramp percent and a current ramp percent may be compared todetermine an appropriate type and/or amount of change that should bemade to the weld voltage control command. In this way, a voltage errorthat occurs due to the secondary response may be reduced or eliminatedin the feedback control signal, thereby enabling the stud voltagecommand to be compensated for the errors introduced by the weldsecondary components. Again, it should be noted that the foregoingfeature of presently disclosed embodiments may offer advantages overtraditional systems that utilize voltage sensing leads to obtain thenecessary data to compensate for secondary weld errors.

It should be noted that to facilitate understanding of the foregoingmethods, it may be helpful to consider the stud current waveform and thestud voltage waveform that would be realized if no secondary weld errors(e.g., inductance errors) were present due to secondary components(e.g., weld cabling). Such waveforms are illustrated in FIG. 3, andthese waveforms are normalized and superimposed on one another in FIG.4. In contrast, FIG. 5 illustrates example stud voltage and currentwaveforms that may be obtained when secondary weld errors, such asinductance errors, are introduced by the secondary weld components, suchas the weld cabling. The following description discusses such waveformsin more detail.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example stud current waveform 60 and an examplestud voltage waveform 62 that may be obtained in one welding system ifno inductance (or other secondary weld error) is present due to weldcabling. It should be noted that the relative shapes of the waveforms 60and 62 are substantially similar, but the scaling and amplitude of thewaveforms 60 and 62 differ due to the difference in current measurementunits (e.g., amps) and stud voltage measurement units (e.g., volts). Forinstance, as shown, the example stud current waveform 60 includes aramping portion 64, a peak portion 66, and a falling edge portion 68.Similarly, the example stud voltage waveform 62 includes a rampingportion 70, a peak portion 72, and a falling edge portion 74.Accordingly, if the waveforms 60 and 62 are normalized to a percentage,the waveforms 60 and 62 could be superimposed and have a backgroundportion 76, a ramping portion 78, and a peak portion 80, as shown inFIG. 4.

While the weld waveforms in FIGS. 3 and 4 are representative of exampledesired waveforms obtainable without the presence of secondary welderrors, the weld waveforms associated with a given welding operationtypically differ from these forms due to the presence of secondary welderrors. For example, in many instances, due to the inductance introducedby the weld cabling, the stud voltage will rise above the level in thedesired waveform while ramping. An example of a normalized stud currentwaveform 82 and a normalized stud voltage waveform 84 for an exampleinstance in which inductance is introduced by weld cabling is shown inFIG. 5.

As shown, the normalized stud current waveform 82 still includes aramping portion 86, a peak portion 88, and a falling portion 90, asbefore. However, the normalized stud voltage waveform 84 includes arising portion 92 and an increased portion 94 in which the voltage risesto levels beyond the peak voltage 96 before falling, as indicated byportion 98, to a level 100 before stabilization at level 102. Asappreciated by those skilled in the art, the magnitude of the voltagerise is typically determined by multiplying the derivative of studcurrent over time by the inductance present in the weld cables.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method104 that may be utilized by the weld controller 48 to determine acompensated stud voltage that takes into account the secondary welderrors present in the system, and to utilize the compensated studvoltage for weld control. As illustrated, the method 104 is initiated(block 106), and the background stud voltage and current are measured(blocks 108 and 110). For example, the levels of the stud voltage andstud current during portion 76 of the waveform shown in FIG. 4 aremeasured. Further, additional measurements are taken that correspond to,for example, portion 78 of the waveform shown in FIG. 4. Specifically,method 104 calls for measurement of the ramp stud voltage (block 112)and the ramp stud current (block 114). Additionally, the peak studvoltage and peak current are also measured (blocks 116 and 118).

Further, the method 104 includes a series of calculations that areperformed based on the acquired measurements. In the illustratedembodiment, the method 104 includes a calculation of a stud voltage ramppercent (block 120). For example, in some embodiments, the followingequation may be utilized to calculate the stud voltage ramp percent:

${{{Stud}\mspace{14mu}{Voltage}\mspace{14mu}{Ramp}\mspace{14mu}{Percent}} = \frac{\begin{matrix}{100\%*\left( {{{Ramp}\mspace{14mu}{Stud}\mspace{14mu}{Volts}} -} \right.} \\\left. {{Background}\mspace{14mu}{Stud}\mspace{14mu}{Volts}} \right)\end{matrix}}{\begin{matrix}\left( {{{Peak}\mspace{14mu}{Stud}{\mspace{11mu}\;}{Volts}} -} \right. \\\left. {{Background}\mspace{20mu}{Stud}\mspace{14mu}{Volts}} \right)\end{matrix}}},$wherein Ramp Stud Volts is the voltage during the ramping portion of thestud voltage waveform, Background Stud Volts is the background voltage,and Peak Stud Volts is the voltage at the peak of the stud voltagewaveform. Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, the method 104calls for normalization of the ramping portion of the stud voltagewaveform with respect to the peak stud voltage.

However, it should be noted that in other embodiments, a stud voltagefalling edge percent may be determined instead of or in addition to thestud voltage ramp percent. In such embodiments, the following equationmay be utilized to calculate the stud voltage falling edge percent:

${{{Stud}\mspace{14mu}{Voltage}\mspace{14mu}{Falling}\mspace{14mu}{Percent}} = \frac{\begin{matrix}{100\%*\left( {{{Falling}\mspace{14mu}{Stud}\mspace{14mu}{Volts}} -} \right.} \\\left. {{Background}\mspace{14mu}{Stud}\mspace{14mu}{Volts}} \right)\end{matrix}}{\begin{matrix}\left( {{{Peak}\mspace{14mu}{Stud}{\mspace{11mu}\;}{Volts}} -} \right. \\\left. {{Background}\mspace{20mu}{Stud}\mspace{14mu}{Volts}} \right)\end{matrix}}},$wherein Falling Stud Volts is the voltage during the falling edgeportion of the stud voltage waveform.

Similar to the calculation performed for the stud voltage, theillustrated method 104 includes a calculation of a current ramp percent(block 122). For example, in some embodiments, the following equationmay be utilized to calculate the current ramp percent:

${{{Current}\mspace{14mu}{Ramp}\mspace{14mu}{Percent}} = \frac{\begin{matrix}{100\%*\left( {{{Ramp}\mspace{14mu}{Current}} -} \right.} \\\left. {{Background}\mspace{14mu}{Current}} \right)\end{matrix}}{\begin{matrix}\left( {{{Peak}\mspace{14mu}{Current}} -} \right. \\\left. {{Background}\mspace{14mu}{Current}} \right)\end{matrix}}},$wherein the Ramp Current is the current during the ramping portion ofthe current waveform, Background Current is the current during thebackground portion of the current waveform, and Peak Current is thecurrent at the peak of the current waveform. Accordingly, in theillustrated embodiment, the method 104 calls for normalization of theramping portion of the current waveform with respect to the peak current(or an average of the peak current if fluctuations are present).

However, it should be noted that in other embodiments, a current fallingedge percent may be determined instead of or in addition to the currentramp percent. In such embodiments, the following equation may beutilized to calculate the current falling edge percent:

${{{Current}\mspace{14mu}{Falling}\mspace{14mu}{Percent}} = \frac{\begin{matrix}{100\%*\left( {{{Falling}\mspace{14mu}{Current}} -} \right.} \\\left. {{Background}\mspace{14mu}{Current}} \right)\end{matrix}}{\begin{matrix}\left( {{{Peak}\mspace{14mu}{Current}} -} \right. \\\left. {{Background}\mspace{14mu}{Current}} \right)\end{matrix}}},$wherein Falling Current is the current during the falling edge portionof the current waveform.

In the illustrated embodiment, once the stud voltage ramp percent andthe current ramp percent are determined in steps 120 and 122, the valuesare compared (block 124), and the welding operation is controlled basedon this comparison, as described in more detail below. However, itshould be noted that in other embodiments, the stud voltage falling edgepercent and the current falling edge percent may instead be computed andsubsequently compared. In further embodiments, the stud voltage ramppercent, the current ramp percent, the stud voltage falling edgepercent, and the current falling edge percent may all be determined andpercentages obtained for the corresponding portions of the stud voltageand current waveforms may be compared. Indeed, in presently contemplatedembodiments, any desired portion or portions of the waveforms may benormalized and compared for control purposes based onimplementation-specific considerations.

However, in the illustrated embodiment, the method 104 proceeds byperforming a check inquiring as to whether the stud voltage ramp percentis greater than the current ramp percent (block 126). If this conditionis satisfied, an inductance compensation estimation value is increasedby a desired increment (block 128). For example, in one embodiment, theestimation value may be set to the old estimation value plus oneincrement. In certain embodiments, the estimation value may be initiallyset, for example, to 0, 1, or any other desired value, based onimplementation-specific considerations, such as the type or length ofthe weld cables being utilized in the given welding operation.

Once an updated inductance compensation estimation value is obtained inthis manner, a compensated stud voltage is calculated (block 130), andthe compensated stud voltage is then utilized for weld control (block132), thereby enabling the weld process to be corrected for one or moresecondary weld errors present in the given welding system. For example,in one embodiment, the compensated stud voltage may be calculated withthe following equation:Compensated Stud Voltage=Measured Stud Voltage−(EstimatedInductance*dI/dT).

Alternatively, if the condition of block 126 is not met (i.e., the studvoltage ramp percent is not greater than the current ramp percent), aninquiry is performed as to whether the stud voltage ramp percent is lessthan the current ramp percent (block 134). If this condition issatisfied, the inductance compensation estimation value is decreased bya desired increment (block 136). For example, in one embodiment, theestimation value may be decremented to equal the old estimation valueminus one increment. Once the estimation value is determined in thismanner, the compensated stud voltage is calculated (block 130) andutilized for weld control (block 132) as before.

Alternatively, if the condition of block 134 is not met (i.e., the studvoltage ramp percent is not less than the current ramp percent), aninquiry is performed as to whether the stud voltage ramp percent isequal to the current ramp percent (block 138). If this condition issatisfied, the inductance compensation estimation value is maintained atits current level (block 140). Once the estimation value is determinedin this manner, the compensated stud voltage is calculated (block 130)and utilized for weld control (block 132) as before. The method 104 mayproceed in this manner until upon inquiry (block 142), the controller 48becomes aware that the weld operation is complete, and the operation isended (block 144).

In this manner, the normalized stud voltage during the ramping (orfalling) portion of the stud voltage waveform may be compared to thenormalized current during the ramping (or falling) portion of thecurrent waveform to identify the presence and direction of the secondarycomponent error and to compensate for the given error. That is, byadjusting the estimated inductance value (and the compensated studvoltage based on this estimated value), the stud voltage ramp (orfalling) percent may be forced to effectively equal to current ramppercent. When this equalization is achieved, the welding system may beconsidered to be in a compensated state in which the errors introducedby the secondary weld components have been taken into account.

Again, it should be noted that although the illustrated embodimentmeasures the voltage error present while the weld waveforms are rampingup to a peak (e.g., portion 78 of the waveform of FIG. 4), in otherembodiments, the voltage error may be measured while the weld waveformsare falling down from the peak. In either embodiment, however, secondaryweld errors (e.g., inductance errors due to weld cabling) may becompensated for in the weld control by determining and removing thevoltage errors associated with a portion of a weld waveform from thefeedback signal.

While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed herein, many modifications and changes will occur to thoseskilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appendedclaims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fallwithin the true spirit of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving first datacorresponding to a first weld waveform generated during a weldingoperation, wherein the first weld waveform corresponds to a voltagelevel over time; receiving second data corresponding to a second weldwaveform generated during the welding operation, wherein the second weldwaveform corresponds to a current level over time; determining, based onthe first data, a first ratio corresponding to a voltage ramp ratio or avoltage falling edge ratio with respect to a peak in the first weldwaveform; determining, based on the second data, a second ratiocorresponding to a current ramp ratio or a current falling edge ratiowith respect to a peak in the second weld waveform; determining, basedon a comparison between the first ratio and the second ratio, a voltagefor the welding operation that compensates for an inductance levelpresent in one or more secondary components associated with the weldingoperation; and controlling the welding operation in accordance with thedetermined voltage.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first ratiocorresponds to the voltage ramp ratio and determining the voltage rampratio comprises dividing a normalized ramp voltage by a normalized peakvoltage.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second ratio correspondsto the current ramp ratio and determining the current ramp ratiocomprises dividing a normalized ramp current by a normalized peakcurrent.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the voltage forthe welding operation comprises calculating a voltage error andsubtracting the voltage error from a measured voltage.
 5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein calculating the voltage error comprises multiplying anincremented inductance value by the derivative of current with respectto time.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first ratio correspondsto the voltage falling edge ratio and determining the voltage fallingedge ratio comprises dividing a normalized falling edge voltage by anormalized peak voltage.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the secondratio corresponds to the current falling edge ratio and determining thecurrent falling edge ratio comprises dividing a normalized falling edgecurrent by a normalized peak current.
 8. A method, comprising: receivingfirst data corresponding to a first weld waveform generated during awelding operation, wherein the first weld waveform corresponds to avoltage level over time; receiving second data corresponding to a secondweld waveform generated during the welding operation, wherein the secondweld waveform corresponds to a current level over time; determining,based on the first data, a first ratio corresponding to a voltage rampratio or a voltage falling edge ratio with respect to a peak in thefirst weld waveform; determining, based on the second data, a secondratio corresponding to a current ramp ratio or a current falling edgeratio with respect to a peak in the second weld waveform; determining,based on a comparison between the first ratio and the second ratio,whether to increment, decrement, or maintain an inductance compensationestimation value corresponding to an estimated inductance present in oneor more secondary components associated with the welding operation; andcontrolling the welding operation based at least in part on theinduction compensation estimation value.
 9. The method of claim 8,comprising calculating a voltage for the welding operation bysubtracting a voltage error term from a measured voltage, wherein thevoltage error term accounts for an estimated voltage rise correspondingto the estimated inductance.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein thevoltage error term comprises the inductance compensation estimationvalue multiplied by the derivative of the current level over time. 11.The method of claim 8, wherein determining the voltage ramp ratio or thevoltage falling edge ratio comprises dividing a normalized ramp orfalling edge voltage by a normalized peak voltage.
 12. The method ofclaim 8, wherein determining the current ramp ratio or the currentfalling edge ratio comprises dividing a normalized ramp or falling edgecurrent by a normalized peak current.
 13. A welding system, comprising:power conversion circuitry configured to convert primary power towelding power for a welding operation; and a weld controller configuredto: receive first data corresponding to a first weld waveform generatedduring a welding operation, wherein the first weld waveform correspondsto a voltage level over time; receive second data corresponding to asecond weld waveform generated during the welding operation, wherein thesecond weld waveform corresponds to a current level over time;determine, based on the first data, a first ratio corresponding to avoltage ramp ratio or a voltage falling edge ratio with respect to apeak in the first weld waveform; determine, based on the second data, asecond ratio corresponding to a current ramp ratio or a current fallingedge ratio with respect to a peak in the second weld waveform;determine, based on a comparison between the first ratio and the secondratio, a voltage for the welding operation that compensates for aninductance level present in one or more secondary components associatedwith the welding operation; and control the power conversion circuitryto perform the welding operation in accordance with the determinedvoltage.
 14. The welding system as defined in claim 13, wherein thefirst ratio corresponds to the voltage ramp ratio and determining thevoltage ramp ratio comprises dividing a normalized ramp voltage by anormalized peak voltage.
 15. The welding system as defined in claim 13,wherein the second ratio corresponds to the current ramp ratio anddetermining the current ramp ratio comprises dividing a normalized rampcurrent by a normalized peak current.
 16. The welding system as definedin claim 13, determining the voltage for the welding operation comprisescalculating a voltage error and subtracting the voltage error from ameasured voltage.
 17. The welding system as defined in claim 16, whereincalculating the voltage error comprises multiplying an incrementedinductance value by the derivative of current with respect to time. 18.The welding system as defined in claim 13, wherein the first ratiocorresponds to the voltage falling edge ratio and determining thevoltage falling edge ratio comprises dividing a normalized falling edgevoltage by a normalized peak voltage.
 19. The welding system as definedin claim 13, wherein the second ratio corresponds to the current fallingedge ratio and determining the current falling edge ratio comprisesdividing a normalized falling edge current by a normalized peak current.